Massive Attack, Nova Twins and more react to far-right riots: “This is more than “thuggery”, it is violent racism”

4 August, 2024

Massive Attack and Nova Twins (Photo by Iwi Onodera/Redferns; Scott Legato/Getty Images)

Massive Attack, Nova Twins and more have reacted to the far-right riots raging across the country.

In the wake of the Southport mass stabbings – which has left three children dead and a further ten injured as of today (August 4) – a wave of protests and riots have broken out across the UK in cities such as Rothertham, Sunderland and Liverpool.

Massive Attack posted a statement on X/Twitter written by the Runnymede Trust, a race equality think tank: “This violent racism has long been simmering under the surface. What is happening is the direct result of years of normalised racism and Islamophobia, enabled by politicians and the British media.

“As far-right mobs threaten mosques, intimidate and harass people, and throw Nazi salutes, we offer our utmost solidarity to people of colour, and Muslim communities in particular.”

The statement also pointed out that Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper “fail to centre Muslim people, or call out racism for what it is”, adding: “What we are seeing unfold is more than “thuggery”, it is violent racism.

“This is an inevitable outcome of years of state sponsored Islamophobia and racism, where Muslims, people of colour and migrants are scapegoated as a distraction from decades of economic hardship and political failings.”

The trust then demanded that politicial leadership “recognises that challenging the far right is not simply a question of tackling online misinformation, or increased police surveillance. Instead, we urgently need our leaders to challenge the conditions that embolden the far right. These scenes should be unimaginable in 2024.”

Meanwhile, Nova Twins have also released a statement of their own, saying they were “sickened by the surge of far-right violence in the UK.

“These actions distract from the grief and empathy owed to the SOuthport victims and their families,” they continued. “The heartbreaking incident of ciolence towards young girls should be met with compassion and solidarity.

“Instead, we are witnessing brutality that deepens suffering and hatred, with innocent Muslims and poeple of color being attacked and beaten, making people afraid to leave their homes. This is pure racism, a disease our country can’t seem to shake.

“Anti-immigration thugs shouting Islamophobic slurs and setting cars and buildings on fire – how can we be proud of a country like this?” they asked. “No one should feel unsafe.”

They ended their statement by writing: “This cycle of hatred and violence must end. Now is the time to come together, to support our neighbours and community, to safeguard and protect each other, especially those most vulnerable.”

Meanwhile, KNEECAP appeared to respond to the recent anti-immigration demonstration in Belfast by posting a quote by former MP and civil rights activist Bernadette Devlin, captioning the photo: “And if you know your history…. smash all fascists 🇮🇪”

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly (aka. Sam Duckworth) also released a statement of his own, saying “in any other colour these riots are called domestic extremism”, adding: “Parliament needs to be recalled for urgent talks on how to stop this situation from escalating and how to address those in its ranks who have fuelled this. THere are millions of Brits for whom this is the worse case scenario.

“Almost all reporting of this escalating situation so far, has failed to recognise that the roots of this reside firmly in racism,” he added. “Some of us have seen this before, for some it’s brand new. Either way, it’s horrendous.

“If the “sensible adults” are in charge, then they must act now.”

The riots have been stoked by a false claim promoted by EDL founder Tommy Robinson that the Southport killer had been an asylum seeker that recently arrived in the UK by boat. However, a 17-year-old Welsh boy by the name of Axel Rudakubana has since been named as the accused murderer.

A wave of far-right violence has since been sparked in numerous cities, including an attack on police near a mosque in Sunderland on August 2 and a group of far-right rioters setting fire to a Holiday Inn housing migrants today.

Nadine Shah initially responded to the Sunderland incident, describing the violence as “rancid”: “The scenes from Sunderland last night are rancid,” she wrote. “Love and solidarity to all my brothers and sisters feeling scared and targeted right now.

“Sunderland is made up of good decent people and we can’t let this hatred fester and grow. SUNLUN,” she added, alongside a photograph of herself standing outside Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light.

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